Head-to-head
BMW iX vs BMW iX3
At $109,900 the BMW iX3 undercuts the BMW iX by $33,000 (23%) — but does the premium deliver enough of an edge to justify itself? Here's how the two compare on price, range, charging, safety and warranty.
Option A · SUV
BMW iX
BMW's electric flagship SUV — a polarising design with a cavernous, well-resolved cabin. Large 94.8 kWh battery, 602 km WLTP range, and one of the more pleasant premium EVs to drive.
- From
- $142,900
- Range
- 602 km
- Battery
- 94.8 kWh
Option B · SUV
BMW iX3
The all-new second-generation BMW iX3 (Neue Klasse) — a clean-sheet platform that targets industry-leading numbers. 805 km WLTP range and 400 kW DC fast charging are headline figures few rivals can match.
- From
- $109,900
- Range
- 805 km
- Battery
- 108.7 kWh
Key differences at a glance
The biggest material gaps between the BMW iX and BMW iX3, ranked by how much they're likely to matter day-to-day.
- 1
Range · advantage BMW iX3
The BMW iX3 goes 203 km further on a charge (805 vs 602 km WLTP).
- 2
DC charging · advantage BMW iX3
The BMW iX3 accepts 200 kW more DC peak charging (400 vs 200 kW), meaning shorter road-trip stops.
- 3
Battery · advantage BMW iX3
The BMW iX3 carries a 13.9 kWh larger battery (108.7 vs 94.8 kWh).
- 4
Price · advantage BMW iX3
The BMW iX3 undercuts the BMW iX by $33,000 (23%) on starting price.
- 5
Power · advantage BMW iX3
The BMW iX3 puts down 45 kW more (345 vs 300 kW).
Spec for spec
Highlighted cells show the better number in each row.
Where the BMW iX wins
Trails the BMW iX3 on the core specs we measure.
Where the BMW iX3 wins
- ▸ Cheaper by $33,000
- ▸ 203 km longer WLTP range
- ▸ Quicker 0–100 km/h (4.9s vs 5.1s)
- ▸ Faster DC charging peak (400 kW vs 200 kW)
BMW iX
What we like
- ✓ Strong real-world range and refinement
- ✓ Spacious, lounge-like cabin
- ✓ 5-star ANCAP rating
What we don't
- ✕ Divisive exterior styling (the grille)
- ✕ Heavy kerb weight hurts efficiency
- ✕ Premium pricing for top trims
BMW iX3
What we like
- ✓ Class-leading 805 km WLTP range
- ✓ 400 kW DC charging is the highest figure in the segment
- ✓ Fresh Neue Klasse platform
What we don't
- ✕ ANCAP rating not yet established (testing due mid-2026)
- ✕ Pricing is a step above the older iX3
- ✕ Top numbers come from the larger battery variant
Frequently asked: BMW iX vs BMW iX3
Quick answers to the questions cross-shoppers most often ask about this pair.
- Which is cheaper, the BMW iX or the BMW iX3?
- The BMW iX3 is the cheaper of the two — it starts at $109,900 versus $142,900 for the BMW iX, a $33,000 difference. Prices shown are manufacturer recommended retail excluding on-road costs.
- Which has the longer driving range?
- The BMW iX3 has the longer WLTP-claimed range at 805 km, 203 km further than the BMW iX's 602 km. Real-world range typically lands 10–20% below the WLTP figure depending on speed, terrain, climate and load.
- Which one charges faster on a DC fast charger?
- The BMW iX3 accepts a peak DC charging rate of 400 kW versus 200 kW for the BMW iX. Peak rate only holds for a short window during the charging curve, so real-world 10–80% times often diverge less than the peak numbers suggest. Compatibility with 350 kW chargers depends on the vehicle's onboard architecture, not just the published peak.
- Is the BMW iX3 better value than the BMW iX?
- On paper the BMW iX3 is $33,000 cheaper AND beats the BMW iX on most of the headline specs we measure — meaning by spec-sheet logic it's the stronger value play. What a spec sheet can't capture: brand prestige, dealer network depth, build feel, software polish, and likely resale.
Which one should you buy?
The short version, based on where each car pulls ahead.
Choose the
BMW iX3
if…
- ✓ you want to save $33,000 on the sticker
- ✓ maximum range matters (203 km further per charge)
- ✓ you regularly do long road trips (faster DC peak)
Verdict reasoning is derived from published specs; brand preference, dealer experience and how a car drives are personal — always take a test drive before deciding.